8th NJ patient has Legionnaires' disease

September 28, 2008 9:12:40 AM PDT

Eyewitness News

NEW BRUNSWICK --

St. Peter's University Hospital reports that an eighth patients has tested positive for the bacteria that causes Legionnaires' disease. Hospital officials said in a statement that the latest patient was released from the New Brunswick hospital on Aug. 30, but was at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in early September.

He was diagnosed with pneumonia, treated and released two weeks later.

The man's family contacted St. Peter's after the hospital notified nearly 2,000 patients discharged after Aug. 20 who may have been exposed to the bacteria.

Eight patients have now tested positive, and two have died, from the outbreak.

Officials say a drop in the level of chlorine in the water system likely caused the outbreak.

Legionnaires' disease is a form of pneumonia that can be spread through plumbing and air conditioning systems.